Over the years, after talking with tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, artists and creatives, almost every success story we’ve heard has been filled with stories of failure. Unfortunately, in our view the media rarely covers these parts of the story – instead we often read summaries that make it seem like success happened “overnight.” However, what we’ve learned in our conversations with so many successful folks is that failure is core ingredient in the recipe for future success. Below, we’ve shared some fascinating stories of failure from folks who have ultimately found great success.

Robert Morillo

As humans it’s natural to feel uncomfortable with failure. In fact, the mere thought or fear of failure alone keeps the majority of us from taking an opportunity, starting new businesses, or even booking a trip or experience that may change the course of your life forever. With everything that I’ve been through and all of the challenges I’ve overcome, even I thought that the taste of failure would be far removed from my future and perhaps even for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Jaime Koller

My story of failure definitely comes from within. I’ve somehow developed a severely critical voice deep inside and rarely give myself much credit. I’ve learned through the years that failure leads to success. As long as action is being taken we are growing. I have to push forward everyday to get out of my own way. I believe we are all in our own way of whatever success we wish for. Failing forward is the only way to growth and I am here for it. Read more>>

Amber Zaricor

The biggest struggle that I think of right away was in 2018; I was trying to be everything to everyone. At Copperheart Creative, I was saying yes to everything and trying to operate as a full-service design agency. We would create anything from huge WordPress websites, brochures, signage, email templates—really anything that people threw at us. I lost a complete sense of boundaries, and my mental and physical health was on a slippery slope—I knew I had to make a change when started to experience crippling panic attacks. Read more>>

Lexi Gail Cummings

As someone who struggles with chronic illness – the ability to complete even the most basic of tasks is hard, let alone to hold down a full time job and pursue music full time as well. Because of my personal health struggles and love for comfort items like candles and body products, I’ve discovered just how harmful it is to my body to use things with toxins. I have failed several jobs, missed many opportunities musically, etc because my body has been holding me back. But out of what seems like inevitable failure that will never end, I decided to start my own company. Read more>>

Ray Young Jr.

Dropping out of high school after the 9th grade was a big failure to me. Read more>>

Drew Johnson Nwabueze

I would like to preface that I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as a failure but merely redirections. In 2020 I set forth on releasing a monthly subscription period box. This box was curated to provide a luxurious but loving menstrual experience. The box showcased local black-owned businesses in San Antonio. In addition to the local owners, I partnered up with PeroidsSA (a local business that provides information, resources, and products to our community) to donate a period pack for each box sold. Read more>>

Julian Duque

Life has blessed me with many character building experiences including loss and failure. The one I’d like to focus on is losing the livelihood I trained seven days a week for three years to attain – my job as a professional ballet dancer with The Miami City Ballet (MCB). My senior year in high school, I decided to take dance as an elective for fun and realized upon graduating that it was something I wanted to do full time. After training in the world renown school of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB), I got my first job with Tulsa ballet and then later with Miami City Ballet where I danced for three years. Read more>>

Ronni P

My business in a sense has thrived off of all of my failures and inconveniences. Covid was a pandemic turned failure. I was relaunching my brand after a much needed hiatus.This was my first time I was launching a whole collection and using this particular manufacturer. I sent my design and order over at the end of February of 2020. I was told that my order would be shipped the second week of March. Well due to covid the factory shut down- March turned into end of April, that turned to we are shut down and don’t know when we will open again. Read more>>

Richard Jacobs.

I want those that read this to know they are not alone. Mental health as a business owner, freelancer, human being is tough. There are many ups and downs, successes and failures, that eat away at our perseverance to keep all the plates spinning. Inevitably a plate is going to fall and break. I want to share that we all have this battle and need to prop up the others around us, reach out and give them a call, sit down over some coffee, go for a walk, whatever. Read more>>